The second day after the All-Star break 10 games were played in the NBA and DeMar DeRozan recorded his second consecutive 40-point game against the Boston Celtics, a career high for the Toronto Raptors guard.
Raptors chomp Celtics
The Toronto Raptors beat the Boston Celtics 107-97 on the back of DeMar DeRozan’s 43 points, five rebounds and five assists, Congolese forward Serge Ibaka had 15 points and seven rebounds, while Corey Joseph and Patrick Patterson combined for 22 with 11 points apiece.
Isaiah Thomas had 20 points and five assists for the Celtics, Marcus Smart had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Jae Crowder also had 19 points with four rebounds.
Thunder strike Lakers
Russell Westbrook’s 28th triple-double of the season (17 points, 18 rebounds and 17 assists) helped the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 110-93. Andre Roberson had 19 points and seven rebounds, while Alex Abrines finished with 19 points.
The Lakers were led by D’Angelo Russell with 29 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals, Julius Randle had a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Jordan Clarkson ended the game with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Sixers dazzle Wizards
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards 120-112. Robert Covington had a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double, Dario Saric also had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Gerald Henderson finished with 20 points and five rebounds.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 40 points and four rebounds, John Wall had a 29-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Markieff Morris had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Pacers outrun Grizzlies
The Indiana Pacers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-92. CJ Miles had 17 points and four rebounds, Monta Ellis had 16 points, Myles Turner had 12 points and six rebounds, while Jeff Teague finished with a 10-point, 10-assist double-double.
The Grizzlies were led by Troy Daniels with 13 points, Marc Gasol had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Tony Allen, Vince Carter and Zach Randolph combined for 33 with 11 points apiece.
Bulls dim Suns
The Chicago Bulls rallied back to beat the Phoenix Suns 128-121 in overtime. Dwyane Wade had 23 points and four rebounds, Jimmy Butler had 22 points, nine assists and four steals, while Nikola Mirotic finished with 20 points and eight rebounds.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, Eric Bledsoe had a 17-point, 11-assist double-double, while TJ Warren and Marquese Chriss combined for 34 with 17 points apiece.
The rest
The Utah Jazz beat the Milwaukee bucks 109-95 on Gordon Hayward’s 29 points, Andrew Wiggins’ 27-point game helps the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the Dallas Mavericks 97-84, the Miami Heat have started another winning streak with a 108-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Denver Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 129-109 and the San Antonio Spurs are three straight after defeating the LA Clippers 105-97.
By Kaunda Chama
